A unique fantasy world... But would it make an RP?

[Hellkite]

Hey all,


I've been sitting on an idea for quite a while, undecided as to whether it would be worth the effort to transform it into a role-play. Its inspired by a desire to see a setting which isn't simply a rehash of Tolkein, or other fantasy cliches. However I know that Tolkein is re-used time and time again for a very good reason- his ideas simply work in the genre.


So with that out the way, here it is. If many fantasy worlds are based in Medieval Europe, then this would be based in 'New World' America, sometime in the 16th century. Conquistadors, Aztecs, rumoured cities of gold, that sort of thing. I was planning on moving the setting to a fictional continent, where rather than Conquistadors there are shipwrecked 'Outlanders,' attempting to live peacefully alongside the established Natives- who live in an Incan/Aztec style. Throw in a pair of magic systems based off ritualistic Voodoo and more volatile Enchantment magic dispersed throughout the world. Some additional Races to add variety- a Harpy-esque species, part Tropical bird, part human. A race of snake people, humanoid in build but with scales, and the heads of Cobras. Perhaps a furry race for those fans, not something I'm into myself but maybe necessary. They would resemble Jaguars, rather than Lions or Tabby cats.


Personally, I have confidence in it as a setting, and have already planned more detailed lore than the outline above . What I'm unsure of is whether it would seem to be too different from whats already out there. Would love to hear your thoughts- please post opinions below!

 

[Lady Sabine]

I think the setting sounds beautiful. ^^ A good backdrop is essential to a good RP. However, the plot is still the most important part. Turning it into a RP could be hard because of the scale- all of these civilizations are awesome for stories, but RPs tend to work better when they focus on a smaller area. If you were going to make a RP based off of this, would it mostly revolve around the Outlanders or would there be another pivotal conflict? ^^

 

[Hellkite]

I was thinking of focusing it down into something more condensed. Some sort of Arena games with a plot wound around it I thought might work, If I planned on making all the races playable and of equal importance to the story. Otherwise I think I would have to narrow down to the Outlanders, with maybe a few local guides. They might be searching for treasure, or attempting to disable the magical storm which separates the New World from the old.

 

[Lady Sabine]

I think that following the Outlanders on some kind of mission would be more fun. ^^ Seems like it would be a shame to have this great world and then not get to explore it a little. If they had to go from place to place, searching for answers or treasure or something, that would be a great chance to give all the cultures their turn in the spotlight and bring in a lot of characters.

 

[Hellkite]

Hmm yeah, thats a very good point. Equally I could go for an episodic structure- little concetrated bursts of plot could work for getting people around to different areas... Thanks for the idea!

 

[Yannie]

I love to so much you don't understand, make this ASAP!!!


I don't really like the idea of just focusing on Outlanders, because people like roleplays with options. Maybe just have Outlanders and the Aztecs, give people the choice of being either.

 

[Hellkite]

Hmm yeah, that's a thought- thanks!


Anyways, upshot is that I'm going to make this RP and see what happens. At the very least if it doesn't succeed I can take the lore and use it for a novel...

 

[Yannie]

Make it and be sure to drop the link

 

[Hellkite]

Will do

 

[DeusExAlice]

Idea: I wouldn't use cobras if you're sticking harder to central/south america. That's more Africa/Asia-ish snake.


Still totally approve of the choice of setting inspiration, love dem mexica people.

 

[Grey]

>Voodoo


>Spanish Conquest


NOPE.avi


I am always in favour of nonstandard fantasy settings (Tolkien is dead and we have killed him), but goddamn do the research. Not all pre-industrial cultures are so interchangeable. Voodoo originated in a very, very different cultural context and honestly both the Aztec and Mayan pantheons were full of awesome inspirations for magic.


I'd say drop the arena angle. Go with a small settlement at the edge of the local Empire. A bunch of Outlanders show up. Run with the themes of culture shock, ideological (economic, social, and theological contrasts) tension, and depending on how cynical you feel either humanity's capacity for integration or propensity for violence. Put players on both sides of the divide and challenge them to find a compromise or damn their characters.


I will be watching with interest.

 

[Teh Frixz]

I like the traditional culture shock. I think you should use the theme that gets neglected in these south american themed things so often and that is the sheer population. The Spanish were VASTLY outnumbered, the native population easily in the millions living in cities strange and wondrous. You should also play up that all the natives not living in the cities were essentially vassals that the city dwellers lorded over. Mercenaries were also quite common.

 

[Hellkite]

All good ideas, especially the population and culture shock angles. As for the Voodoo/Spanish Conquest bit, I know thats not historically correct already-I've done my research- I'm only using the setting as a basis, rather than simply relabelling New World America with fantasy names and rolling it out into an RP. I reckon it'd be better to take a different slant on the established premise than regurgitating historical fact. Still- will have a dig around the Mayan pantheons and see what fresh ideas crop up.

 

[Grey]

Rather than regurgitate history or transpose something from another culture, do look into the regional pantheons and take the facts further and/or inject something entirely of your own creation. You'd be surprised how fresh the results can be. Even assuming a small thing to be factual - say, if we do not sacrifice, the sun will not rise - can have huge ramifications.

 

[DeusExAlice]

Rather than regurgitate history or transpose something from another culture, do look into the regional pantheons and take the facts further and/or inject something entirely of your own creation. You'd be surprised how fresh the results can be. Even assuming a small thing to be factual - say, if we do not sacrifice, the sun will not rise - can have huge ramifications.

Don't forget to make your sick child touch the skinned hide I'm wearing! It'll cure what ails ya!

 

[Teh Frixz]

Or just make the skin the child...


I'm so sorry

 

[Hellkite]

Rather than regurgitate history or transpose something from another culture, do look into the regional pantheons and take the facts further and/or inject something entirely of your own creation. You'd be surprised how fresh the results can be. Even assuming a small thing to be factual - say, if we do not sacrifice, the sun will not rise - can have huge ramifications.

... And that, is a very good point... I'll put some consideration into it, thank you!

 

[Grey]

No worries. If I think of anything that might of use to you, I'll be back.

 

[hellrazoromega]

For a fascinating spin on this read Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel. It is interesting to think what would have been different if the societies of Central and South America such as the Aztec, Maya, and Incas would have had access to major domesticated animals such as horses and if they had access to expand east-west into similar climates rather than predominately north-south. I know some dispute some of his ideas but I find it mostly elegantly compelling. If those societies had developed such things--what a different world we'd be in today. Of course there were other factors involved (such as lack of a full scale written language which only the Maya had--and it did not spread) but it is still something to consider when making a fictional world.

 

[Llamadragon]

>Voodoo
>Spanish Conquest


NOPE.avi


I am always in favour of nonstandard fantasy settings (Tolkien is dead and we have killed him), but goddamn do the research. Not all pre-industrial cultures are so interchangeable.

True, but this is Fantasy isn't it? If a setting is inherently based on just one culture, you would definitely be right, but not even Middle Earth is just a generic medieval setting that Tolkien pulled out of nothing. Within his work, he sprinkled everything from Norse mythology and his own WW1 experiences all the way to Babylonian history and Greek grammar, and he admitted to it as well. This isn't evident just by reading his books unless you are highly familiar with the things he references to, which is because he did a damn good job creating a NEW culture rather than just mashing together more than one already existing.


I say go for it. Be careful not to simply rip things off, people can be very defensive about their ancestral cultures. But it is one thing to use Norse inspiration to create a Middle Earth and another thing entirely to create Marvels' Thor - be sensible about the fact that you're talking about peoples religion and history, and you will be fine.

 

[hellrazoromega]

True, but this is Fantasy isn't it? If a setting is inherently based on just one culture, you would definitely be right, but not even Middle Earth is just a generic medieval setting that Tolkien pulled out of nothing. Within his work, he sprinkled everything from Norse mythology and his own WW1 experiences all the way to Babylonian history and Greek grammar, and he admitted to it as well. This isn't evident just by reading his books unless you are highly familiar with the things he references to, which is because he did a damn good job creating a NEW culture rather than just mashing together more than one already existing.
I say go for it. Be careful not to simply rip things off, people can be very defensive about their ancestral cultures. But it is one thing to use Norse inspiration to create a Middle Earth and another thing entirely to create Marvels' Thor - be sensible about the fact that you're talking about peoples religion and history, and you will be fine.

Good points all. I like to look at ancient cultures that ask why this or that was that way and then as if it would make sense to alter or change it, or take some small part. There are some advantages for taking stuff outright as it cuts down on the work, which is why TV uses it so much. If you can convey that society X is basically the Norse with a few tweaks, Nords in Skyrim for instance, you can get on with the main story without having to spend a ton of time explaining where and why this culture differs. That is supposing that the differences and explanations are even relevant.


That said I am a HUGE fab of breaking tropes, and altering what people expect. For instance in my fantasy world the Sun goddess is evil and the shadow goddess is good. All of this is based on the fact that the planet had a odd orbit and during the summer is far closer to the sun that at other times, during this time the southern part of the world where the games takes place is protected by a ring around the planet from the worst 0f the suns rays, otherwise everyone would be cooked (Note: that while there are since trappings here it is still a fantasy setting with magic since this set up would not work quite the way it does if there weren't some magic involved. So no science kibitzing, I am fully aware and did this on purpose ). Anyway the undead on the planet are called the Sun-touched and even when the ring is covering the sun few people go out during the height of the day. The ring protects people but fears and superstitions make it a time that is equivalent to night time on Earth as far as fear goes. People don't fear the dark as the Sun-touched hate the dark and ordinary people see the night as a protecting shroud, like the planet's ring (which is called Nyra's Veil, after the shadow goddess). There is far more to the cultures of the world but that is just one example of doing something to make the cultures your own and not the standard Western European fantasy culture we see far too often.